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Let’s face it. Finding a reason to visit sun and fun-filled Florida isn’t hard, but this year visitors will be truly spoiled for choice, writes Tamara Hinson.

From the fantastic food halls opening up in Miami to Universal Orlando’s game-changing new hotel, here are nine reasons to put the Sunshine State on your holiday wish-list this year.

1. You can rock out at Daytona Beach’s new hotel

It’s Daytona Beach’s time to shine in 2018, thanks to the recent opening of the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. Book a room and you’ll enjoy complimentary use of Fender guitars and Crosley record players (we’d opt for the latter if you’re concerned about bothering the guests in the next room).

The good vibes extend to the spa, where you can sign up for the hotel’s “music-centric” wellbeing treatments, during which bass and treble vibrations will be pulsed through your body. Apparently it’s rather invigorating…

2. Enjoy some grown-up fun in Universal Studios’ first boutique hotel

Universal Studios’ first boutique property, the Aventura Hotel, opens this August, and although guests will still enjoy perks such as early park access, it’s definitely got a more grown-up vibe. It will be Universal’s first hotel with a rooftop bar, and the pool will have an underwater sound system.

Further proof that Orlando is for adults too can found in the lively Downtown area, where the city centre’s first boutique hotel, The Delaney, opens this spring.

We also recommend checking out the beautiful Winter Park neighbourhood, where you can sign up for boat tours of the mansion-fringed interconnected lakes. It’s Florida’s longest-running tourist attraction and celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

3. New theme park thrills at Disney World and Universal Studios

Orlando wouldn’t be Orlando without some adrenaline-fuelled thrills and spills, and this summer visitors will be able to set their sights on infinity and beyond thanks to Disney World’s highly anticipated, 11-acre Toy Story Land.

Over at Universal Studios, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, will be unveiled this spring, and although Universal are keeping exact details under wraps, we can confirm that the back story requires riders to escape criminal mastermind Owen Shaw during a high-speed chase. Thrill-seekers will be able to reserve a place in the queue thanks to virtual queuing, and there’ll also be opportunities to snap selfies next to cars from the films.

4. Go all-inclusive in the Keys’ first all-inclusive resort

Credit: Bungalows Key Largo

April will see the opening of Florida Keys’ first all-inclusive resort, Bungalows Key Largo – and it’s adults-only, making it a fantastic option for a grown-up getaway. The majority of the 135 rooms and suites will have their own private plunge pools, and the 13-acre site will have five restaurants, four bars and 300 metres of shoreline.

But resist the temptation to stay put, because there’s a lot going on in the Keys right now. Last December saw the opening of the Tennessee Williams Museum in Key West (the playwright lived there for 34 years) and we’re also excited about the new tours offered by Key West-based Up the Keys Eco Tours. Launched in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, the tours allow visitors to give back in a number of ways, including planting trees and clearing debris from protected areas.

5. Experience Tampa time

As much as we love Busch Gardens, there’s so much more to Tampa, and this year, our favourite bit is definitely the Riverwalk, a 3.8-mile-long pedestrianised area in the city centre. It’s the perfect way to explore Tampa’s most popular attractions: the Florida Aquarium, Amelia Arena, History Centre, Tampa Museum of Art and Glazier Children’s Museum are all connected by the Riverwalk, which is brought to life at night time with colourful light installations.

And in 2018, it will be even easier for kayakers, boaters and paddle boarders to explore the city from the water, thanks to new floating docks. The area will also double as a venue for cultural events during Tampa Bay’s monthly Fourth Friday events.

6. Have some watery fun at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld has recently been praised for investing more money in the development of adrenaline-fuelled rides while slowly phasing out its whale and dolphin shows. Although it has still got some way to go, its latest rides have proved a magnet for thrill-seekers, and this summer it’ll be unveiling Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando. This new water ride will have the world’s tallest river rapid drop.

Next, head to SeaWorld’s water park, Aquatica, to ride Ray Rush, which opens in spring - powerful jets of water will send riders flying along twists and turns, before they drop into an enormous manta ray-shaped half pipe.

7. Experience an art attack

Further proof that Florida isn’t simply about rollercoasters and waterparks comes courtesy of various fascinating exhibitions taking place at the state’s top art galleries. One of the state’s best art museums, the Museum of Art - DeLand Downtown (600 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand; 386 734 4371), can be found in the city of DeLand, and this spring, the gallery’s hosting an exhibition focusing on the work of Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher.

Over in St Petersburg, the Imagine Museum (1901 Central Avenue), dedicated to glass art, has just opened its doors.

8. Ride the Brightline

You don’t have to be a trainspotter to get pretty excited about Florida’s latest railway-related news. The Brightline is a new train line which will eventually connect Miami with Orlando, and this January saw the completion of the first phase, which links Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

The train’s a rather luxurious affair, with dedicated bike storage areas and power outlets built into every seat. It takes just 30 minutes to travel between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, and the second phase, due for completion by this summer, will connect Miami with the two cities.

9. Chow down in Miami

This year’s all about food in Miami. Foodies can now sign up for culinary tours of one of the city’s most colourful areas, Little Haiti, thanks to Miami Food Tours.

When it comes to new restaurants, one of our favourites is the recently-opened Estefan Kitchen (140 NE 39 Street, Suite 133, Miami Design District; 786 843 3880), a Cuban restaurant set up by singing superstars Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

A new Asian food hall, 1-800-Lucky (143 NW 23rd St), has just opened in the achingly hip Wynwood area, and another food hall has just thrown open its doors on Miami Avenue - although this one’s dedicated to Italian cuisine. La Centrale’s vendors include an Italian bakery and an aperitivo bar. Mamma Mia!